My 87 year old parents are Canadian snowbirds. They love Florida and have spent the past 35 winters enjoying the sun. They have both recently been diagnosed with COPD and bronchiectasis. I'm not sure if it is universal, but up here COPD is rated in levels of early, moderate, severe and very severe. My parents are both already at severe. They don't need oxygen, yet. We are fortunate to have universal health care up here and they have excellent medical care at their fingertips at no cost to them whatsoever. They can see their doctor or go to the ER anytime and never see a bill. My challenge? They love Florida so much, they are determined to go anyways, even though they no longer qualify for travel health insurance. I have warned them that one cold or case of the flu and it could wipe out all their savings. It would help to be able to give them an actual cost. What a chest CT costs, what chest xrays costs, trips to the doctor, possible stays in the hospital. I'm wondering if I had a tangible amount I could give them they would "get it". Unfortunately one of the negative aspects of our wonderful health care system is, they have no idea what it costs to manage severe COPD/bronchiectasis. I'm very scared that they are just going to pick up and go. I have the added challenge in that my mother is in early stages of Alzheimers and so she will willingly do whatever Dad wants... and he wants his Florida sunshine. I can't go with them, I have to work. They would be in FL alone. Anyone know the cost? Anyone have any suggestions? I appreciate any and all replies...
It was an interesting read though, I wonder how things are now with the OP and if her parents continued to be snowbird. Travelling to the USA with preexisting health conditions is definitely a gamble even when you can get insurance as poor Trisha found out, it is why most older snowbirds I know eventually have to give up their winter homes down south.
If they must have sunshine and warm in the winter...they should pick Arizona. Not as warm as Miami...but dry air makes breathing easier.
Altogether, I would say that leaving behind health coverage when one is that ill seems a poor decision. Maybe she should stay and let him go alone?
Your mama will definitely need help as her disease worsens. It'll be more than dad can handle. Home care? Big expense! Assisted living? Big expense!
You dad, also, will need help with depression. Insidious disease, Alzheimer's!!
My daughter wants us to come back to Seattle for summers. We are too tired to even contemplate such a move. But, we are younger than your folks and might get cajoled into doing it because Seattle summers are beautiful. Thanks for listening.
Take this into consideration: Your parents are 87 years old and they don't want to be where they are...Canada. Unless they are both suffering from dementia, I take it your dad is of sound mind and should be able to decide for himself whether being in Florida with risks outweighs getting free medical care in an environment where they don't want to be. It's tough...(but remember how we used to balk and rebel against our parents when we were trying to be independent? (eye-roll))
Well, looks like the tables have turned! :) Good luck to your parents and to you. You personify the loving, caring daughter. Bless you!
BTW, do your parents have dual citizenships, or are they citizens of only one of the countries?
There is one thing that Florida has that can be beneficial -- warm air. People with COPD often have trouble breathing cold air. Do they have any trouble with it?
Our family has such a challenge because my parents are an hour away from the closest family member. They will not move. We also have the usual challenge that they do not want visits from community helpers. They are refusing any kind of help right now, no Meals on Wheels, no house cleaners, etc. They can well afford it, but as is typical with their generation: they are BEYOND frugal! They pick and choose what they will spend their money on. My father has needed new hearing aids for over 6 years and refuses to buy new ones, however he purchased and paid cash for an amazing new car last year!
So glad to find this website. I know I'm not American, but given my parents home in FL, maybe I can stay? I have yet to find a Canadian site/forum like this. It's a godsend.